Holiday Safety Tips

Karen came across some awesome Holiday Safety Tips from her apartment complex that we wanted to share with you all. The holidays bring about a lot of hustle & bustle as people shop for loved ones and travel home. It also unfortunately promotes high criminal activity so it is important to take all the necessary safety measures to make sure you and your home are okay. Below are awesome safety tips you should keep in mind during this holiday season.

• Remember where you parked. Make a note of the entrance that is closest to your car. 

• Try to use an exit nearest to where you parked.

• Do not tempt thieves. Avoid leaving packages or other items in the car seat or elsewhere in plain sight. 

• Lock your car when you leave it, even if only for a short time.

• Try to avoid walking alone.

• Walk and park in well-lit areas whenever possible.

• Be alert to anything that looks unusual or when someone “accidentally” bumps into you. That’s how thieves often distract their victims. Try to avoid carrying packages that block your view. 

• Glance in the back seat before getting in your car.

• As you leave a building, carry your keys concealed in your hand.

• Do not hesitate to ask a security guard for help or for an escort to your car.

• Be cautious in showing the amount of cash you are carrying. 

• Never leave a burning candle in a room unattended. When disposing of matches, dampen with water first. Never throw a warm match away. Before lighting a Hanukkah Menorah or Kwanza Kinara, make sure the candles fit securely in the holder and, if you put them in the window, make sure to keep the flames a safe distance from blinds and/or curtains.

• If you choose to have a live tree, try to select a fresh one. To keep your tree fresh, cut a diagonal slice off the bottom of the trunk to help the tree absorb water. Check the stand often and keep it full of water at all times.

• Do not put your tree (live or artificial) near any electrical appliances or heat sources, like a fireplace or heater.

• Use fire retardant decorations. Try not to have the lights overlap with any ornaments or touch the tree stand.

• Test all electrical decorations for faulty wiring or burned out bulbs.

• Do not put cords under rugs. Keep cords out of traffic paths.

• Hang tinsel and decorations out of reach of small children and pets.

• Check with your local trash company or if you live in an apartment, your management company, for proper disposal of live trees.

• If your fireplace is equipped with gas or permanent (ceramic) logs, never add wood or other material to the fire.

• Keep flammable materials away from the hearth.

• Make certain the flue is open and clear before starting a fire.

• Always use a fireplace screen to keep sparks contained.

• Never overload the fireplace. Never burn tree parts, paper or other rubbish in the fire place.

• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a grate.

• Never use fire starters like kerosene, gasoline or lighter fluid in the fireplace.

• Never leave the fire unattended and besure the fire is extinguished before you go to bed or leave your home.

• Keep Christmas stockings and other decorations well away from the flames.

• Close blinds and set lights on a timer so it appears someone is home.

• Secure your windows, doors and sliding glass doors.

• Place a hold on mail, newspaper and other deliveries through the delivery service or have a neighbor pick them up.

• Leave heat “on” at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to reduce risk of pipes freezing during cold weather.

• Let water dripin your faucets and leave cabinet doors open in extreme cold to prevent pipes from freezing.

Please remember to always be alert and to call 9-1-1 if any crime is witnessed or suspected.

*These tips are intended to provide general guidance only and not legal advice. Each person must take steps necessary for personal protection.